KWIKWETLEM FIRST NATION 2-65 COLONY FARM ROAD, COQUITLAM, B.C. V3C 5X9 CANADA
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April 8—Coquitlam, BC. Eggs of the eulachon—or oolichan, candlefish (so rich in oil, when dried they can be burned), or ‘hooligan’ as pronounced by some—are practically microscopic, measuring a mere millimetre. So, finding them on a ‘spawning mat’ deployed on the bottom of the Fraser River is no easy feat.
No worries. On April 4, just the third day of searching, the faces of the crew light up as the first eggs are discovered, the huge grins a stark counterpoint to the tiny eggs.
Eulachon hold a special meaning to the indigenous participants hoping to determine where these fish spawn and stage—and if this anadromous fish might be at risk from the construction of a new Patullo Bridge in New Westminster. Eulachon ranked high on the list of species of concern of First Nations participating in the ‘working group’ that informs the environmental assessment process of the ‘Patullo Bridge Replacement Project.’
Not long ago, eulachon returned each spring to spawn in the lower Fraser in numbers hard to fathom today. Countless numbers fed a variety of fishermen and other wild animals, like sturgeon, that for millennia feasted on a veritable bounty. Today, a remnant population hangs on, a species in the Fraser that has been classified by the Council on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada as “endangered.”
Yet, one needn’t be a scientist to know Fraser eulachon are in grave danger. After bathing the mat in hot water to remove the adhesive eggs, Musqueam environmental monitor James Haldane steps away briefly to recount better days. “I used to fish eulachon with my Gramma,” he says, “and we’d often need only one set to get 3 or 4 buckets of fish. Now I’m lucky to get one feed a year.”
Haldane hopes the month-long study has a positive impact. “Everything is stacked against us,” he laments, “climate change, development, pollution. It would be nice to save something,” before somberly noting that “every inch of the Fraser is being developed, with someone trying to fit something into every little space left. There’s no place left for eulachon to spawn.”
Though spawning habitat may have withered, an early phase of the survey conducted by Hatfield Consultants used sonar to map likely spawning and staging habitat, which, for eulachon, is mostly pea gravel and coarse sand substrate, mainly in shallower and calmer areas of the river, where these small fish do best.
That habitat at and just upstream of the Pattullo is the focus of the study. But finding the eggs—and evidence of spawning and staging sites—is tough work. While Haldane waits for eggs to (hopefully) separate from the mat, other crew toil under the shadow of the Port Mann Bridge at a bustling and efficient pace. Kwantlen participants in particular resemble a well-tuned machine—albeit, a machine not immune to emitting an occasional friendly jibe. Brothers Shane and Kaid Stubbington, and Kelly Yates, form a production line shaming most factories. Their routine: fit the 56-pound metal frames with squares of furnace filter to capture the ‘demersal and adhesive’ eggs as they float down from spawning fish; add a metal frame to hold it all together; affix washers and nuts; grab the drill to secure each mat, all while doing 5 at a time. Then load the mats into Kelly’s Ford, trek to the nearby boat ramp, where skilled Tsawwassen fishermen Ruby Baird and Captain Riley await in their gillnetter. The crew then jets off to four pre-determined sites to retrieve 5 mats previously deployed at each, set 5 new ones, motor back to the ramp, and repeat. Repeatedly. On occasion they also set a fine-mesh gillnet to catch some adult eulachon to confirm their presence and condition, before carefully releasing the precious fish to continue spawning.
The sorting crew, set up on tables in Maquabeak Park, then carefully examine and wash the mats, before pouring the slurry through a half millimetre sieve, in search of a eureka moment.
In a break in the action I ask Shane why he is involved. “I’m happy,” he beams, “to see this study going on. It seems that no one besides First Nations care about eulachon. I never knew where they spawned. I have lots of questions [around why they declined]. Is it pollution? Sewage?”
He’s not alone in pondering why this fish is now so imperilled.
Brother Kaid offers his take: “I just love fish and water. I used to hate it. My parents forced me to go on the boat with them when I was a kid. But we got eulachon. Oh man, they were so good. Now I just love being out.”
The energetic Kelly Yates, also a Kwantlen fisherman, recounts fishing with his Grandpa before moving to Coquitlam. He’s now back at Kwantlen and admits, “This is my first time fishing for eulachon. No one talks about them anymore.”
On this day, the crew is assisted by fellow band member Josh Antone, environmental and archeological technician Laurie Sylvester from Katzie, and Tsleil-Waututh member, Will George. All pitch in, sorting, pouring water, helping with the mats, hauling and heating water, and whatever else needs doing. They are intensely curious, and working closely with the consultants they generate an amazing synergy of western science, and indigenous knowledge, concern, and skills.
In all, six First Nations, all member Nations of the First Nations Fisheries Legacy Fund Society, pitch in on the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure-sponsored research.
Peak spawning season is rapidly approaching. The egg hunt will intensify as Easter approaches. It’s not your typical Easter egg hunt, though. This one has a more special meaning to the culture and history of those who hunt these elusive eggs.
Stay tuned.
Craig Orr is an ecologist, environmental advisor with Kwikwetlem First Nation, conservation advisor with Watershed Watch Salmon Society, director of the First Nations Fisheries Legacy Fund Society, and working group member of the Patullo Bridge Replacement Project Environmental Assessment Review.
The Kwikwetlem First Nation, along with representatives from the provincial government, dedicated a canoe at the Healing Spirit House in Coquitlam’s Riverview lands on Tuesday. The hand-carved ocean-going canoe will be installed permanently in the facility’s gymnasium, as a symbol of reconciliation with the province.
“In our view, reconciliation goes two ways,” Kwikwetlem First Nations chief Ron Giesbrecht said. “The province has demonstrated a willingness to work with KFN to right the wrongs of the past and dedication of this KFN canoe for display at the Healing Spirit House is our way of showing appreciation for our new relationship with the province.”
The Healing Spirit House will have 38 beds available for First Nations’ youth experiencing mental health issues by providing a welcoming and positive environment to allow them to heal.
https://www.renewingriverview.com/news/kwikwetlem-first-nation-dedicates-canoe-to-new-healing-spirit-house
KFN Enterprises LP (KFNE) announced today that its Utility Boxes Wrap project at the Riverview Lands is complete. Each of the 11 utility boxes which are part of a new 25-kilometer electrical distribution system is wrapped in a unique Coast Salish design. The project was a partnership between KFNE and BC Housing which manages the Riverview Lands.
KFNE Chief Officer, Special Projects, Andrea Aleck says “BC Housing in collaboration with Kwikwetlem First Nation (KFN) will work in partnership to include where possible, examples of Coast Salish art within the Riverview Lands, also known as Səmiq̓ʷəʔelə (Place of the Great Blue Heron). KFNE has several other projects underway which will also include examples of Coast Salish art. The Utility Boxes Wrap project is also unique as it involved two KFN Youth who helped us chose the final designs. Fred Hulbert Jr. and Austin Joe were part of a Youth Summer Work program and considered a number of designs before making the final choices. We believe that it is important for KFN Youth to understand that the projects KFNE is managing and the art being displayed, provides a sense of connectivity to the ancestral territory and cultural pride to share the art with the surrounding community.”
Thank-you Coquitlam Continuing Education and the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce for hosting ‘An Evening With Margaret Trudeau – Changing My Mind’. This special event takes place on Monday, November 19, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Terry Fox Theatre. Proceeds will be donated to the Kwikwetlem First Nation Health & Wellness Centre!
Nominees For Environment Steward of the Year
KFN and KFNE have been nominated for the brand new ‘Environmental Steward of the Year’ award by the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce! Nominees will be recognized at a luncheon on Nov 6 and then the finalists will be announced at the Business Excellence Awards Gala in January. We thank the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce for this recognition of our commitment to environmental stewardship.
Congratulations to KFN and KFN Enterprises for being nominated for a Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce 2018 Business Excellence Award in the new category of ‘Environmental Steward of the Year’. We thank the Tri-Cities Chamber for this recognition as environmental stewardship is paramount to both KFN and KFN Enterprises.
Kwikwetlem First Nation (KFN) Business Park's 3rd Annual Community Open House. Please come out and join us for this information session and Business Park update.
Kwikwetlem hosted FraserFEST Coquitlam in collaboration with the Rivershed Society of BC. For this event, the Sustainable Living Leadership Program (SLLP) arrived at Kwikwetlem by 34' voyageur canoe. This event included a dinner and an educational tour of the Colony Farm Community Gardens. Thanks to all those who attended.
Our KFN elder Beverly Mroczkowski was interviewed for the Coquitlam 125 year celebration. Her story is showcased on the City of Coquitlam website. You can read the article here.
KFN Chief and Council met today with NDP MP Finn Donnelly. KFN appreciates the ongoing relationship that we have with our local MP and look forward to continuing to work on more projects together in the future.
Last night, the administrative staff and community members had the chance to get to know each other better at a staff meet and greet dinner. This was a great evening and we will be organizing more of them in the future! Thanks to everyone who came out to attend!
Today BC Housing released their Visioning document for the future of the Riverview Lands in a Press Conference. Kwikwetlem First Nation has been involved in the consultation process since the beginning through a Protocol Agreement with the Province.
Read the report here:
Kwikwetlem First Nation has been working in partnership with Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh, as well as Kwantlen Polytechnic University to develop a three year collaborative skills training program. This program received funding from the BC Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation and the first training program began at the Squamish Nation Trade Centre in late October. KFN is looking forward to supporting members through programs such as scaffolding, environmental monitoring, intro to construction craftworker, and essential skills.
Read the Press Release here.
Kwikwetlem First Nation hosted it's bi-annual Health Day on October 15th. There were a number of health care practitioners ranging from optometrists to reflexologists. There were also a number of other stations for community members to access information relating to health and wellness. The event was a fabulous success! Thank you to all who were able to attend! A big thanks to Elder Bev Mroczkowski who welcomed everyone to the event in her handmade regalia and cedar hat!